Simpson Lakes near Grayling: Fishing Spots, Seasons and Access

• Overview

  Set in Crawford County, Michigan, this is Simpson Lakes. It lies 1,138 feet above sea level. This is a pocket water of some 10 acres, and every part of it is reachable from the bank. 1.7 miles away sits Grayling, the nearest town. Grand Rapids sits 125 miles out, and it is the nearest city worth the name. It sits well inside the county, so one set of rules covers it.

• Where to Fish on Simpson Lakes

  Our records hold no depth for this water. Still water like this holds fish on the edges rather than out in the open. On a natural lake the weed line and the shelf beyond it do the work. Public occurrence data for Crawford County names white sucker, rock bass and yellow perch. What holds for the county may not hold for this water. On Simpson Lakes a short move beats a long cast.

• Seasonal Patterns

  Climate normals give 67°F for July and 17°F for January. A hard winter is normal, and the thaw brings a strong few weeks. Once it clears, about mid April, the fishing comes on quickly. Ice clears near mid April and comes back about early December in a typical year. From the thaw to midsummer the fishing improves week by week. It sets the rhythm of the year at Simpson Lakes.

• Tackle & Baits

  The rules here are undocumented as far as public sources go. Recorded parking is half a mile off, far enough to travel light. For the bass here, soft plastics worked slow along cover and a spinnerbait for searching do most of the work. Rules for this water may differ from the county norm. Access can change hands, so last year's answer may not hold. Shellenbarger Lake at 2 miles is the sensible second choice. Ask locally about Simpson Lakes if anything is unclear.